MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The
second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS
YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole
Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:36–40
Jesus pretty much says love trumps all other laws. He is not
looking for how much money we give. He is looking for how
generously we give because or our love. He is not measuring
how many laws we keep. He is watching to see if we seek to be
holy and obedient because we love him so much.
Even as I am most blessed when my children seek what is right
because they love my husband and me and want to follow
what we have taught them, so God wants our obedience and
actions to flow out of love for Him and then extending that love
to others.
Jesus is the model of love. He told us where love begins—by
laying down our life. Laying down our lives means giving up
our own desire to get our way.
Putting aside feelings and acting in love out of obedience.
Taking initiative to say loving words, to do loving acts, to
extend unconditional love and acceptance when we are
tempted to anger or self-pity.
Love will make a difference in our friendships. Any
relationship, over time, will experience stress because it
involves two sinful, limited people—me and whoever else is my
friend! So every relationship will be tested. Am I going to
demand that my friend be perfect, even if I cannot be perfect?
Or am I going to acknowledge my need for God to love through
me, even when there is tension? If God forgives me, so I should